NEW LAW for VOTING FROM ABROAD for U.S.•AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD - You MUST RE-Register to Vote with EACH Election!!!

NEW LAW!!!

According to the MOVE Act
Justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/October/10-crt-1212.html

NOW -

ALL USA CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD MUST RE-REGISTER TO VOTE IN EACH ELECTION YEAR IN ORDER TO VOTE.

  REGISTER TO VOTE AND REQUEST YOUR BALLOT ASAP.

More information at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/06/AmericansLivingAbroadReregisterToVote.html


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There are 2 important facts to remember to ensure that you can vote; and that your vote counts:

#1.
You must request a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) DURING the CALENDAR YEAR you're voting in (so you can NOT register in December if your primary is in May). 

DON'T WAIT!!!   

Register TODAY here!  

https://VoteFromAbroad.org
(this is a NON-PARTISAN site!!!)

#2.
You MUST do this EVEN if you have voted in the previous election and you have automatically received a ballot from your local election official.

CRUCIAL
 To register - you MUST have with you the
ENTIRE mailing address of your
LAST U.S. RESIDENCE 
to determine your proper voting jurisdiction!!

Some clarification on that 
(http://CostaRica.USEmbassy.gov/voting_information.html):
"Your "legal state of residence" for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. This applies even though you may not have property or other ties in your last state of residence and your intent to return to that state may be uncertain."
This site also has a link to the  
Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form

ALL of this is important because if an election is challenged, then the un-requested ballots will not be counted even if you received it without requesting it. For the future, they strongly encourage you to make a standing New Year’s resolution to submit a new Federal Post Card Application every January. That way, you receive ballots for all of the elections for which you are eligible during the calendar year.

(personal note from me/Vicki - "Am I the only person that questions if they're REALLY wanting EVERYONE to vote?  Do they REALLY want our vote to count . . . hmmmmm")

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Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee or vote-from-abroad in past elections, you

MUST COMPLETE a FPCA
EACH YEAR TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS

as an Overseas Absentee Voter.

There are a few ways you can do this:

ONLINE:
•  fvap.gov

•  VoteFromAbroad.org

•  FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY IN COSTA RICA

If you would like to pick up a Federal Post Card Application or drop off your completed application for delivery to the United States via the Diplomatic Pouch at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica (in Pavas) - FREE of charge.
•  Voting assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and/or
•  Drop off your completed voting forms and ballots, addressed to your local election officials, any Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm, excluding Costa Rican and U.S. holidays.

A drop box is located for quick drop off in the Guard Booth at the entrance to the Consular Section at the Embassy.

Please bring your valid U.S. passport if you would like to speak with a voting assistance officer.

•  4th of JULY • U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Visit the U.S. Embassy booth • Democrats Abroad booth or the • Republicans Abroad booth
on the grounds of the Cervecería Costa Rica from 9am-1pm on July 4.
For additional information on this event, go to:

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/05/4thOfJulyInCR2014.html

•  DEMOCRATS ABROAD Costa Rica
They can assist you as well
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/07/democrats-abroad-cr.html


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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE U.S.?

Normal transit time for applications and ballots from Costa Rica to the United States is 10 to 15 days so plan accordingly with deadlines for your individual state (which is the state you were last registered to vote in).

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Whether you have never voted while overseas before or have, the process is easy ­-- just follow these steps:

1. Complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) - fvap.gov

Whether you are a first-time voter or have voted absentee in past elections, complete an FPCA to receive your ballot this fall. It allows you to register to vote and request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (presidential and state primaries, run-off, special, and the November general elections) during the course of the year in which you submit the FPCA. Local election officials in all U.S. states and territories accept the FPCA.

The online voting assistant available at FVAP.gov is an easy way to complete the FPCA. It will ask you questions specific to your state and tell you if electronic ballot delivery is possible. No matter in which state you vote, we encourage you to ask your local election officials to deliver your blank ballots to you electronically (by email, internet download, or fax, depending on your state). Be sure to include your email address to take advantage of electronic delivery. The online voting assistant will generate a printable FPCA, which you can then print and sign.

2. Submit the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
See the information at the beginning of this message for options to drop off your FPCA in person to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica.

If it’s more convenient for you, you can have a friend or family member drop off your FPCA to the Embassy on your behalf or you can send your FPCA or ballot directly to your local election officials via international mail or professional courier service at your own expense.

NOTE:  Some states (like Florida [I learned the hard way]) require more steps of you so read their requirements•procedure CAREFULLY!!!

3. Receive Your Ballot
After submitting your FPCA, most states allow you to confirm online your registration and ballot delivery selection. States are now required to send out ballots 45 days before an election for federal office (President, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House of Representatives) to any overseas U.S. citizen who has completed an FPCA.

4. Return Your Ballot
As with the FPCA, you can return your voted ballot to your local election officials free of charge via the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or mail it directly at your own expense.

Your Vote Counts

Many U.S. elections within the past 10 years have been decided by a margin of victory of less than 0.1%. All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline (differs by state).

Be an educated voter. Check out the FVAP links page

fvap.gov/vao/vag

for helpful resources that will aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues is widely available and easy to obtain via numerous websites such as Project Smart Voter.

You can also read national and hometown newspapers online, and search the Internet to locate articles and information.

To receive information by email about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP's Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via

Facebook
facebook.com/DoDFVAP
and
Twitter
twitter.com/FVAP  •  @FVAP

If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact:

Embassy San Jose’s Voting Assistance Officer at
(506) 2-519-2590 - or at ACSSanJose@state.gov

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DEMOCRATS ABROAD International

SIGNING UP OFFICIALLY FOR DEMOCRATS ABROAD

Joining is FREE

To join - just attend a meeting  OR 

 go to the official International Democrats Abroad site:

DemocratsAbroad.org/user/register

DemocratsAbroad.org  •  Facebook.com/DemsAbroad  •  Twitter.com/DemsAbroad

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Information on
DEMOCRATS ABROAD
Costa Rica

MEETINGS
Meetings are USUALLY held the LAST Saturday of each month - from 9:30am till noon-ish

MORE DETAILS at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/07/democrats-abroad-cr.html

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REPUBLICANS ABROAD - COSTA RICA
Not sure what's up with them as I've emailed them a few times in the past and have never received a reply for more clarity on membership, meetings, etc.  I recently found they had new contact info and emailed them to find out about Voter Registration at the 4th of July Picnic but no one has responded.  THIS is why I do not have more information/logo or anything on them)

CONTACT:  Dick Macauley - 2-439-2897 or DickMacauley@yahoo.com

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/06/AmericansLivingAbroadReregisterToVote.html
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